Strategies for the development of antibiotic-free diets for piglets.

This paper briefly presents the context and historical perspective of the ban on in-feed antibiotics in Europe. After having put some light on recent data on the patho-physiology of post-weaníng disorders and risk factors in young pigs, he paper recalls the complex modes of actions and the effects of in-feed antibiotics on growth performance and feed efficiency in the pos-weaned piglet. Technical data are also provided on copper and zinc. General modes of action and technical results dealing with an array of alternatives including particular proteins and amino acids, acidifiers, enzymes, micro-organisms and various plant preparations are examined. The paper concludes on the need to better appreciate potential alternatives on larger scientific grounds and with more diversified health indicators in the fields of gut physiology; bacteriology and immunology.